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Webster 1913 Edition

Culprit

Cul′prit

(kŭl′pr?t)
,
Noun.
[Prob. corrupted for
culpate
, fr. Law Latin
culpatus
the accused,
p.
p.
of L.
culpare
to blame. See
Culpable
.]
1.
One accused of, or arraigned for, a crime, as before a judge.
An author is in the condition of a
culprit
; the public are his judges.
Prior.
2.
One quilty of a fault; a criminal.

Webster 1828 Edition

Culprit

CULPRIT

,
Noun.
[supposed to be formed from cul, for culpable, and prit, ready; certain abbreviations used by the clerks in noting the arraignment of criminals; the prisoner is guilty, and the king is ready to prove him so.]
1.
A person arraigned in court for a crime.
2.
Any person convicted of a crime; a criminal.

Definition 2024

culprit

culprit

English

Noun

culprit ‎(plural culprits)

  1. The person or thing at fault for a problem or crime.
    I tightened the loose bolt that was the culprit; it should work now.
    • 2012 June 9, Owen Phillips, “Euro 2012: Netherlands 0-1 Denmark”, in BBC Sport:
      But the Dutch dominated only to waste numerous efforts, with Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie the main culprits.

Synonyms

  • See also Wikisaurus:criminal

Related terms

Translations

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman cul prit, contraction of Culpable: prest (d'averrer nostre bille) ‎(“guilty, ready (to prove our case)”), words used by prosecutor in opening a trial, mistaken in English for an address to the defendant. See culpable.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈkʌl.pɹɨt/

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